Vision Trips to Japan (up to 1 month)
>> Expand your horizons.
>> Explore a world outside your own.
>> Engage your heart among millions wanting hope.
>> Experience Japan's pop culture.
>> Encounter real live missionaries.
>> Examine the possibilities.
>> EnVision your future.
Called to Cross-Cultural Ministry? This is your next step!
Are you exploring what God has for you "out there" as a cross-cultural missionary? Do you feel like God may be calling you long-term to Japan or as a church planter? Then this is the trip for you.
What It's All About
Envision your future as a church planting missionary in Japan by encountering missionaries and Japanese church staff/members, experiencing church plants, and exploring Japan and its spiritual needs. You'll also receive some excellent training on Japan, church planting and discerning God's call on your life. This can happen even in about 10-14 days!
You'll come back encouraged, impassioned, and more aware of where God's calling you next. This is a short-term experience that could change the course of your life.
And if your vision is a little more crystalized and your future involves church planting, you can even turn your EnVision experience into longer, more in-depth service!
Here's what a few past participants have said:
God used EnVision to give me a glimpse of His heart for Japan. Through all my encounters with Japanese pastors and missionaries He brought life and vision to my understanding of the Japanese church and the work that needs to be done there. Coming to Japan through EnVision has definitely given me clearer direction and perspective with reference to this nation which I love."
-Sachi C.
New York
"EnVision provides a rare and valuable overview of the slow and steady budding of the works of the Lord throughout the land. It gives the sense that spring is truly here in the Land of the Rising Sun-and the harvest is sure to come. Pray that the Lord would send His workers to the harvest field. Pray that He might send YOU."
- Stephanie M.
Idaho
|
|
|
|
"Someone can only know what is truly going on in Japan if they see it for themselves. Books can be read, conversations can be had, but until one looks and sees the harvest for themselves, they will have no clue of the true bondage that the Japanese are in. EnVision is a great tool that God can use to mobilize His forces of prayer and ministry to the Japanese. He used EnVision to open my eyes to the reality of the need in Japan."
- Kenton B.
Oklahoma
"EnVision is an excellent way to see and hear firsthand how God is moving through pastors, missionaries, and churches in Japan. You also get a healthy dose of the culture in Japan, which is important to be aware of when considering a missions field."
- Elizabeth C.,
Washington State
|
Program Details
Who should consider EnVision?
The ideal candidates for EnVision are individuals/couples who are already called into full-time cross-cultural ministry, hopefully very interested in Japan and church planting. We will be looking for individuals/couples qualified for Missional Partner Associates. Participants may include college students, Urbana delegates, A3 j-Teams alumni, professional couples exploring the option of missions, people who are set on ministering in Japan, or people who have been a part of a church plant in the U.S. and are considering planting churches overseas. If you're not quite there yet, please consider j-Teams.
What is EnVision?
EnVision is designed to allow people already called to missions to experience in a short amount of time what it's like to be a missionary in Japan. In less than 2 weeks, we'll visit church planting networks, take cultural plunges, join missionaries for their various ministries, attend services at Japanese churches, stay with missionaries and locals, and get a feel for what it would be like to go back longer term. You'll also attend some excellent seminars given by A3 staff and missionaries regarding Japan, church planting, and discerning God's call on your life. You'll have an opportunity to observe, engage, reflect, and seek God's direction.
When will EnVision take place?
EnVision is fairly open, depending upon your own availability, as well as that of the hosting missionaries helping to coordinate your time in Japan.
How much will it cost?
Costs will vary, depending on length and location. For example, the support costs for a recent trip was $1700 + the international flight.
How do I apply?
Fill out the contact form on this page and indicate your interest. We'll contact you to answer any questions you may have and walk you through the application process.
Sample Schedule for an 11-Day Trip
This is only an example of what a trip might look like:
|
Day 1
|
Depart home airport for Japan
|
|
Day 2
|
Arrive in Japan
Meet team and staff, orientation by missionary, cultural plunge
|
|
Day 3
|
Attend region church meetings, meals with missionaries, training session: Takeshi Takazawa - Asian Access' historical attempts at church planting, Asian Access' current model & methodology of church planting, goal of church multiplication movement and CM vision; how Associates can accelerate the church planting process.
Missionary/church homestay
|
|
Day 4
|
Visit cell group/English class/other ministry
|
|
Day 5
|
Seminar on the Japanese pastor's perspective;
afternoon cultural plunge
|
|
Day 6
|
Bullet train to another region of Japan to visit sites, bullet train back to homestay, debriefing
|
|
Day 7
|
Training sessions in morning:
- Dr. Sue Takamoto - lifelong development; discerning God's call specifically in regard to possible missionary service
- Robert Adair - working as a Missional Partner with a Japanese pastor
Afternoon free for sightseeing.
|
|
Day 8
|
Visit cell group/English class/other ministry, debriefing; attend Parent Church Network meeting in evening
|
|
Day 9
|
Attend region church meetings, meals with missionaries, missionary/church homestay
|
|
Day 10
|
Trip debriefing
|
|
Day 11
|
Fly home (NRT >> U.S.)
|
